Jennifer Lopez set to produce, star in NBC’s Bye Bye Birdie Live!

NBC says the actress-singer will headline its 2017 live holiday musical. She will play Rosie, the role originated on Broadway in 1960 by Chita Rivera.

Tony Award-winning Harvey Fierstein will write the script.

Bye Bye Birdie Live! airs a year from now as the next in NBC’s annual live-musical tradition. Hairspray Live!, starring newcomer Maddie Baillio, is set to air on Dec. 7.

Birdie is an homage to circa-1950s rock ‘n’ roll mania and centres on the character Conrad Birdie, who is reminiscent of a young Elvis Presley.

The original stage musical, which featured Dick Van Dyke and Chita Rivera, was a massive success. A Tony-winner, it sparked a 1963 film, which included Van Dyke, Maureen Stapleton, Janet Leigh, Jesse Pearson and Ann-Margret in its cast.